Far-right German MEP to be succeeded by more moderate rival

Dirk Driesang is set to succeed German MEP Beatrix von Storch of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as she leaves the European Parliament for the Bundestag.

Driesang told POLITICO on Monday that he would take von Storch’s seat once he is officially notified by Germany’s federal returning officer.

“I expect a call from the federal returning officer in the next two weeks,” Driesang said. “In this case, I will gladly accept the mandate.”

In the 2014 European Parliament election, von Storch was not elected directly, but joined the Parliament via the AfD’s party list. She was listed third, while her successor-to-be Driesang was listed eighth.

Usually, the candidate listed fourth would get to be the successor, but because the candidates between von Storch and Driesang were either elected to the Bundestag or left the party, the federal returning officer will have to skip the four people between them.

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David Ziegele

Leider ein paar Fehler im Text

“In the 2014 European Parliament election, von Storch was not elected directly, but joined the Parliament via the AfD’s party list. She was listed third, while her successor-to-be Driesang was listed eighth.

Usually, the candidate listed fourth would get to be the successor, but because the candidates between von Storch and Driesang were either elected to the Bundestag or left the party, the federal returning officer will have to skip the four people between them.”